'Corrections Employees Week' declared at Monroe County jail

SNYDERSVILLE — Monroe County Correctional Facility employees were honored Wednesday for operating "one of the finest facilities" in the state.

DAVID PIERCE

SNYDERSVILLE — Monroe County Correctional Facility employees were honored Wednesday for operating "one of the finest facilities" in the state.

The Monroe County commissioners traveled to Snydersville so that employees at the nearby prison could be on hand to receive a resolution declaring this "Monroe County Corrections Employees Week."

The dedication and professionalism of the prison's 100-plus employees have been enhanced despite a series of well-publicized problems, the commissioners said.

This includes suspensions and forced resignations that have left the prison without its top three administrators. The prison also is embroiled in multiple investigations stemming from the March suicide of an inmate.

The vast majority of workers continue to do their jobs well, Commissioner Suzanne McCool said.

"I want to tell you there have been so many improvements," McCool said during the commissioners' meeting at the Monroe County Public Safety Center. "There has been a lot of training there. We believe morale has been on the uprise."

The prison has been inundated with job applications, McCool said, an indication the correctional facility is a good place to work. Commissioner Donna Asure, also chairwoman of the Monroe County Prison Board, agreed.

"The stress is unbelievable. The conditions are unbelievable," Asure said. "It's not an easy job. We have good employees out there."

Asure, who has worked almost daily at the prison since former Warden David Mauro resigned in early March, praised the staff for helping her learn prison operations.

County Controller Marlo Merhige, another prison board member, said the correctional facility is safe and orderly.

"I've taken quite a few tours recently, and I'm impressed," Merhige said. "I did not feel threatened. I felt very at ease."